"Has the U.S. space industrial base been put in peril? There will be plenty of opinions on that expressed at the 26th National Space Symposium," predicts hosting National Space Foundation CEO Elliot Holokauahi Pulham. In addition, expect talk about cyber security and China's manned program.
Image by www.nationalspacesymposium.org courtesy www.nationalspacesymposium.org, SOURCE
That time again: 26th National Space Symposium to cover cyber security, new budget proposal and China's manned space program

Posted: Apr 06, 2010 10:47 pm EDT
"Has the U.S. space industrial base been put in peril? There will be plenty of opinions on that expressed at the 26th National Space Symposium, where all aspects of space - civil, commercial, national security, intelligence, entrepreneurial, international, etc. - will be put under a microscope by the most distinguished group of speakers and panelists ever assembled by the Space Foundation."

"I can't wait to hear what these wise and august leaders have to say," states NSF CEO Elliot Holokauahi Pulham in his SpaceWatch editorial.

So has the U.S. space industrial base been put in peril? Pulham concludes:

"From all the concerns that I have heard expressed, from legendary former astronauts to international partners to the most senior military leaders and industry titans, the answer is yes: not only is the U.S. space industrial base at risk, but so is U.S. space leadership in the world."

In addition to speeches about the budget proposal, there will be much talk about cyber security, commercial space and a presentation straight from the horse's mouth about China's manned space program. Next Weeks 26th National Space Symposium will also showcase a life-size CygnusTM Spacecraft, Dragon Capsule, Fireworks, and Star-Gazing.

Cygnus and Dragon

The 26th National Space Symposium kicks off next Monday at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, bringing with it extraordinary networking opportunities, almost 100 top-level speakers, and a wide range of topical space issues on the agenda.

The full-scale replica of Orbitals CygnusTM advanced maneuvering spacecraft will be on display outside The Broadmoors Lakeside Terrace, overlooking Cheyenne Lake. Being developed to carry crew supplies, spares, and scientific experiments to the International Space Station (ISS) for NASA, CygnusTM consists of a common service module and a pressurized cargo module. Orbitals contract with NASA authorizes eight missions between 2011 and 2015, carrying approximately 20,000 kg of cargo to the ISS.

The mock-up, which measures 34 feet from solar array tip-to-tip, over 10 feet tall, and nearly 30 feet long, is just one example of burgeoning commercial spacecraft development, which will be one of the major topics at this years Symposium.

Another commercial spacecraft example, the Dragon Capsule from SpaceX, will once again be on display inside the massive exhibit center. Dragon is a free-flying, reusable spacecraft being developed to transport pressurized cargo, unpressurized cargo, and/or crew members to, and from, low Earth orbit. In December 2008, NASA announced the selection of SpaceXs Falcon 9 launch vehicle and the Dragon spacecraft to resupply the ISS after the Space Shuttle retires. The $1.6 billion contract represents a minimum of 12 flights, with an option to order additional missions for a cumulative total contract value of up to $3.1 billion.

Dragon, operating under the name DragonLab, also serves as a platform for fully commercial in-space technology demonstrations and scientific instrument testing.

The 26th National Space Symposium is the premier gathering of the global space community, organized by
The Space Foundation: an international, nonprofit organization and the foremost advocate for all sectors of the space industry - civil, commercial, military and intelligence.

Founded in 1983, the Space Foundation is a leader in space awareness activities, educational programs that bring space into the classroom, and major industry events, all in support of its mission "to advance space-related endeavors to inspire, enable, and propel humanity."

An expert in all aspects of the global space industry, the Space Foundation publishes The Space Report: The Authoritative Guide to Global Space Activity and provides three indices that track daily performance of the space industry. Through its Space Certification and Space Technology Hall of Fame® programs, the Space Foundation recognizes space-based technologies and innovations that have been adapted to improve life on Earth.

Headquartered in Colorado Springs, the Space Foundation conducts research and analysis and government affairs activities from its Washington, D.C., office and has field representatives in Houston, Texas, and Cape Canaveral, Fla. For more information, visit www.SpaceFoundation.org and read about the latest space news and Space Foundation activities in Space Watch.


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